That’s probably true for most things.

The Little-Known Groundhog Day Cactus.

Apparently, there are three types of holiday cacti: the Thanksgiving Cactus (which blooms October to November), the Christmas Cactus (which blooms November to January), and the Easter Cactus (which blooms “around” Easter). Surprisingly, despite their names, holiday cacti aren’t true cacti. They are epiphytic succulents that grow in moist, shaded environments, not deserts. A classic case of mislabeling. Words matter, after all.

I have had a Christmas Cactus growing in a pot on my breezeway for several years now. It began as a cutting from one of my mother-in-law’s plants and has grown into a large, healthy specimen. It is watered and occasionally fertilized, but mostly it’s left to its own devises and continues to thrive. Weirdly, however, it always blooms on Groundhog Day and reaches its most vibrant peak around Valentine’s Day.

As far as I know, there is no official classification for the Groundhog Day Cactus (or Valentine’s Cactus, for that matter). Thus, I assume that my holiday cactus is simply a late bloomer. My plant seems content enough to do its own thing on its own time. Am I disappointed it doesn’t bloom in time for the Christmas holiday? No, of course not. I’m just happy it blooms at all. Better late than never . . . .